Hinge and automatic catch for awning-blinds



No. 752,348. .PATENTED FEB. 16, 1904.

r. W. LUTTS. HINGE AND AUTOMATIG'GATGH TOR AWNING BLINDS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented February 16, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HINGE AND AUTOMATIC CATCH FOR -AWNING-BLINDS.'

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 752,348, dated February16, 1904.

Application filed July 10, 1902. Serial No. 115,045. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. Lur'rs, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, and a- IO My invention relates to window-blinds for dwellings;and it consists in the means shown and described whereby a shutter maybe hinged at the top to be swungout-from the bottom to subserve thepurpose of an awning and where- 5 by it may be hinged to be swung openin the ordinary way and in the means shown and described whereby theblind may be automatically locked in a predetermined position when swungoutward and means for securing the 20 pintle of the lower hinge inplace.

The devices may be applied to any ordinary window-blind for the purposespecified.

A specific description of the remaining features of my invention will beobtained through 5 reference to the annexed drawings, wherein' Figure 1shows a pair of window-blinds in their displayed position to serve as anawning and embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of theautomatic locking and 3 supporting mechanism attached to the right halfof the blind or shutter with the latter closed against the casement.Fig. 3 represents an edge elevation of the same with the casing and itslower hinge in dotted lines.

35 Fig. 4 indicates a plan of one of the stiles with the upper blindhinge or support thereto secured. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the same inthe position indicated in Fig. 2 and the blind shown in dotted linesthrown partially 1 outward. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 8 8of Fig. 2, showing the finger-spring in the locked and the releasedposition in dotted lines. Fig. 7 designatesa modification of theblind-support and adjustable staple with $5 the blind in an extendedposition.

Corresponding numerals designate similar features throughout the severalfigures of the drawings, referring to which 1 1 denote right and leftmembers and when i united forming the window-blind, each be- 1 to 7,these sockets in either position rest upon the upper edges of thestaples 2 2, which with the casement-head 8 form a rest or hearing, so

that the blind cannot become unhinged or sag.

The lower staples 9 9 are provided with bearings 10 and sockets 11, theformer seating the thrust and the latter receiving the sustainingrods 1212, the lower ends of which, 13 13, are

sinuous in form, so as to retain their position against dislodgment whenthe blind is extended or closed in practical use, yet easily withdrawnby partially closing the blind, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 1,andlifting it from the staples 2 2, which permits the ends 13 13 to bewithdrawn from their sockets 11 11. The upper ends of said rods 12 12terminate in slotted plates 14 14, placed at right angles with the saidrods and which receive the supporting-bars 15 15, also terminating attheir lower ends with similar positioned and slotted plates 16 16, whichin turn receive the rods 12 12. 7 Thus loosely united they slideapproximately parallel with and over each other in opening and. closingthe blind; To engage said members 12 and 15 at definite angles tosupport the blind, indents 17 17 are formed transversely andin the upperedge of said bars 15 15, which receive the plates 14 14 and securelyhold them at the desired angle, the bars being connected to the stiles 7by pivotal bearings 18 18.

To lock the closed blind against the case- Inent, I provide the plates19 19, Fig. 1, comprising in detail, Fig. 2, the catches 2O 20 and theattached confining and releasing spring 2121, (delineated in Figs. 2, 3,and 6,) which operate as follows: The blind being brought injuxtaposition to the easement, the coacting rods 12 12 and bars 15 15,forming the extensions, assume the vertical position illustrated, I

the sinuous ends 13 13 of the rods lying in the path inclosed by thecatches 20 20 and the noses 22 22 of the springs 21 21. The diameter ofthe rods 12 12 exceeding the space between said catches and springsobviously forces the passage, thrusting the spring parts 22 to theposition shown in dotted lines 22, Fig. 6. The blind being closed, thenoses 22 22 regain their original positions in line with said rod ends13 13, and thus effectually secure the blind. In conjunction with theparts 22 the lips 23, formed by reflexing a portion of the plates 19,act as a stop to the rods 12 and also hold them against the noses 22.Similarly-formed lips 24: 24, coacting with the lower edges of thecatches 2O 20 and the staples 9 9, prevent unshipping the blind in itsclosed position. To release the catches 2O 20, a slight pressure upwardon the finger-pieces 25 25 retracts the springs 21 21 aside from therods 12 12, as observed in dotted lines, Fig. 6, permitting the blindsto be swung outward. The springs, together with the plates, are securedby the screws 26 to the outer stile 7 of each blind-section,substantially as illustrated.

Obviously there may be other modifications structurally departing fromthe manner herein described Therefore I desire not to be held to thestrict interpretation herein disclosed, but may use such equivalents,therefore, as would come within the fair scope and spirit of myinvention, which having described I desire to secure by Letters Patentof the United States and claim 1. A pintle-receiving plate having doublesockets and adapted to be attached to the upper and outer portion of thewindow-stiles, a staple provided with a curved pintle coacting with saidsockets and adapted to be secured near the tops of the window-casingscontiguous to said stiles, and additionally adapted to form a bearingfor the empty sockets, when the bottoms of said blinds are movedhorizontally outward or inward, to prevent by the contact of saidsockets with the casement-head the displacement of the shutter asspecified, said devices constructed to be interchangeable and adapted tosuspend the blinds in a perpendicular and a horizontal position, asspecified.

2. In combination with a window-blind, a staple having a bearing and asocket superimposed above said bearing, a sustaining-rod having asinuous lower end adapted to be temporarily retained in said socketandresting upon said bearing, and provided with a slot-' ted plate at itsupper end, means slidingly embraced by said plate and pivoted to thestile to automatically support in an adjustable manner the blinds inpredetermined positions horizontally to form an awning as hereinbeforespecified.

3. In a window-blind adapted as an awning, the locking-plateprovided'with the catch 20, adapted to automatically receive and securethe adjustable extensions 12 and 15 in their closed positions, andhaving lips 23 and 24, the former as a stop to the rod 12 and the latterto prevent unshipment of the closed blinds, the attached spring 21having a nose arranged to lie in the path of, and contiguous to saidrod, and the finger-piece 25 actuating the spring to release theassembled extensions when the-blind is to be extended substantially inthe manner described.

1. In a blind convertible from a single to a double awning-shutter, alocking-plate having a catch automatically securing the closedextensionsfa supporting-bar coacting with said locking-plate when theshutter is closed, and a sustaining-rod adjustably united to thesupporting-bar in a manner to regulate the distance of the shutter fromthe casement; in combination therewith a staple forming the lower hingeprovided with a bearing upholding said sustaining-rod, and asuperimposed socket movably supporting the rod either in extended orclosed position of the shutter as specified.

Signed at Natick, Massachusetts, this 2d day of July, 1902.

FRANK W. LUTTS. Witnesses:

FoRREs'r N. ADAMS, FRANK F. PULSIFER.

